by Carolyn Rae
Was he suspicious of her? She met his gaze, trying to discern his thoughts. Birds flew around in her stomach. She thought she and he had really connected. To think he’d even consider her a thief made her head hurt. She felt a headache coming on.
Justin’s expression looked serious. “After really getting to know you, I no longer consider you a suspect. You’re like the girl next door. I don’t usually rely on gut feelings, but seeing how you work with those kids and really seem to care about them—well, I don’t think you’d be likely to do anything like that.”
Lisa let out the breath she’d been holding. She felt so much better now. “It’s a relief … to hear you say that. I’d never steal anything from anyone. My mother caught me trying to shoplift when I was a kid. She scolded me loudly, right in the store where everyone could hear. Then she made me go apologize to the manager. That was so awful I got nauseous.
“Later, when she told my father, he paddled me good. He said, ‘No child of mine is going to make me sorry she’d been born.’ I was afraid he and mom would disown me if I ever did anything like that again.”
Justin listened, but seemed to be understanding. “Guess you learned a lesson then.”
She nodded, glad he didn’t seem to think she’d steal jewelry.
“You could help me by being observant and listening to what other women say.”
Lisa paused and dug her toes into the sand. “I suppose I could go to all the meetings of the book club and watch what jewelry they wear.”
“Do you really think a thief would wear something she stole where everyone could see?”
“I guess not. I could pretend I lost something and ask Amanda Nicholas, the owner of the housekeeping service, if anyone else reported something missing, or if any of her maids noticed expensive jewelry in an unusual place.”
Justin shook his head. “Maids are not supposed to pull out drawers and look inside. However, I will ask Amanda if she’s done background checks on all her maids. Luke mentioned she’d recently hired a maid on a temporary basis for the summer to keep up with all the work. Maybe I can ask one of the other maids if anyone wears any expensive jewelry while working.”
He looked up at the sky. “The moon is rising. I know it’s late. I’d better walk you home now.” He took her hand and started back the way they’d come.
Lisa was sorry her time with him had to end, but she really did need to study. However, she might find it hard to concentrate without thinking about Justin.
Later, when they’d reached her door and she’d unlocked it, Justin hugged her and kissed her good night. His kiss started out sweet, but then became hungry, hungry like she was for his touch. Her heart swelled. He not only liked her, but he trusted her. That made her feel good.
“I’m glad I’ve told you what I’ve been doing,” he said. “I’m sure you wondered why I was dating other women while acting like I was interested in you.” He met her gaze. “But you’re the only one I want to get to know better.” A broad smile lit up his face. And then he kissed her again, his lips roving over her mouth as his hands caressed her shoulders, making her feel desired. “Good night and sweet dreams.” He squeezed her hands and turned toward his car. Before getting in, he waved at her, then slid behind the wheel and drove away.
She looked at her sample test booklet and yawned. How could she concentrate with the memory of his lips ravishing hers? She set her alarm for an hour earlier than usual took a shower, and settled between the sheets. But his face and the way he touched her filled her thoughts until she finally fell asleep and dreamed he was searching her drawers and claiming she was the thief. Still sleepy when the alarm went off, she turned it off and lay back down.
Later that morning, a knock sounded on her door. Lisa grabbed her robe and slipped it on. After tying the sash, she opened the door. Chenille stood there, wearing a purple caftan with a bright pink and green paisley design. “Hi. Have you eaten at South of the Border yet? I thought it might be nice to go have a late breakfast there. There’s not a lot of single women our age here, and I can always use another friend. It will be my treat.”
Lisa hadn’t spoken much to Chenille as she never came by the Casa Blanca Kids Club. Lisa spent most of her spare time studying. That was, when she could concentrate instead of think about Justin. Her test was in little more than one week. She needed to pass to start fall classes. Breakfast out sounded good, but why was Chenille being friendly all of a sudden?
Chenille clasped her oversize purse to her waist. “The only events I go to are the book club meetings, so I don’t get much chance to socialize, and I’d like to get to know you better.”
“I’ve only been to South of the Border once, but I brought the food home and microwaved it. It wasn’t very good reheated.” Glancing at Chenille’s long, freshly manicured scarlet nails, Lisa bet she spent little time in the kitchen. “Well, I guess I could try there again.” She gestured toward the couch. “Have a seat until I get dressed.”
Chenille sat on the wicker couch. Lisa hurried into the bedroom, shut the door and locked the bedroom windows. After what Justin had told her, she wasn’t taking any chances.
Ten minutes later, wearing a pink crocheted cotton sweater and a flowered skirt, Lisa picked up her purse. “I’m ready. Let’s go.” She locked the front door, and they walked the few short blocks to the restaurant.
Seated in a booth, Lisa ordered the sausage, egg, and fried potato skillet, and Chenille ordered huevos rancheros. “You must like hot stuff,” Lisa said.
Chenille grinned. “The hotter the better. That’s the way I like my food and my men.” She set her purse on the seat and stared at Lisa.
Chenille took hold of Lisa’s hand and looked at her ruby ring. “That’s pretty.”
“My parents gave it to me for my eighteenth birthday.”
“It’s small and dainty. I’m surprised your parents didn’t get you a bigger ruby. Chenille stuck out her hand and tapped her large pink diamond ring. “I only wore this old thing because it matches my dress.”
“Wow, that’s huge. Did your parents buy that for you?”
Chenille shook her head. “It was an engagement ring, but while the guy worked at a steady job, I could tell we had no future together, so I broke it off, but I kept the ring.”
“That’s too bad. Did you love him?”
“I thought I did, but I want a guy who can give me pretty things and take me nice places. Now Justin, my date for the gala, he knows how to treat a woman, and managing a store in his family jewelry chain says he’s got a well-established future. I could really go for a guy like that—unless some woman tries to steal him away from me.”
“I see.” Lisa saw the handwriting on the wall. If she wanted to see more of Justin, she’d face competition.
Their food arrived, and once more, although the food was perfectly cooked, it seemed to have no taste. After eating half of it, Lisa laid down some bills. “I just remembered I have an appointment at the spa. If I hurry, I can make it.” She rose and grabbed her purse. “I’ll see you around.” It took effort to stroll to the door, but as soon as she was out the door, she hurried to the spa.
She hated lying, but she couldn’t stand another minute with Chenille. Wasn’t a white lie better than saying she was beginning to hate her guts?
Lisa hurried across the marble floor lobby of the white stucco Casa Blanca Resort and Spa and walked past a Moroccan tapestry to the front of the Eucalyptus Spa. A pink-frocked attendant smiled and checked a book on the counter. “We only have one appointment this morning, so we have some free time. Would you like a massage?”
Thinking maybe that would help her jumbled thoughts and relax her, Lisa nodded.
Five minutes later, she lay on a padded table covered with a soft white sheet. Soothing music played, and she recognized the smooth melody of the Hawaiian Wedding Song. The masseuse smoothed the taut muscles of Lisa’s back and shoulders. She relaxed, but her stomach kept churning. Obviously, Chenille expected to land a big di
amond and a wedding to Justin.
Lisa hoped to see more of Justin, at least for a while. Since he lived in Dallas, he could see her after the summer—if he were interested—and if Chenille didn’t have her hooks imbedded in his well-muscled arms. Chenille couldn’t have dated Justin very long, because he’d told her he’d just arrived the week after Lisa had. Lisa frowned. Why should Chenille think she had any claims on him?
Just because Chenille had started seeing him first wasn’t good enough. Hearing her lay claim to Justin made Lisa burn inside. Somehow, Lisa would fight to keep him at least as a friend to help her study enough to pass her test. Good gosh. Today was Saturday. The test was in one week.
It was time to stop focusing on Justin and concentrate on her studies. She hadn’t gotten much done because she’d been too busy thinking about him. She wouldn’t give up on her goal to get into graduate school this fall. She really wanted to teach at the Dallas’s most prestigious school for girls, or at least a better paying private school.
Back at her cottage, Lisa checked her phone. No messages from Justin. Maybe Chenille did have a better chance with him, although Lisa couldn’t imagine what he saw in her. It didn’t matter now. She needed to concentrate on her studies. She turned her phone to vibrate and settled down to work. Later that afternoon, the phone danced on the end table. She was going to ignore it, but saw her sister’s name and picked it up. “Hi, Melissa, how are you?”
“I’m fine, but it’s beastly hot here. Another 100-degree day. What’s it like there?”
“It’s hot, but the ocean breezes keep things pleasant.”
“Met any great guys there?”
“Yes. There’s a jewelry store manager I’ve been seeing, and he’s pretty hot.”
“Is he from there?”
“No. He’s from Dallas. Used to manage a jewelry store in Oak Cliff.”
“Could it be Harrold’s Jewelry Store? The manager was robbed recently.”
“That’s Justin’s store. He didn’t tell me about that.”
“Well, he should have. He was my hero that day.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was about to go inside and look at rings. Bobby has been hinting he might ask me to marry him, so I thought I’d take a look. I’d opened the door and was about to walk in when I heard him say loud and clear, ‘Why are you pulling a gun on me?’”
Lisa gripped the phone tightly. “What did you do then? You didn’t get shot, did you?”
“Hell, no. I ran away so fast I almost lost a shoe. If it had fallen off, I would have kept running. I was so nervous I jumped in my car and drove away.”
“Did you call the cops?”
“I did and told them I didn’t get a good look at the guy. All I saw was someone in black, standing there facing the manager.”
“Did they catch him?”
“No. Apparently he got away. Look, I’ve got a week’s vacation coming. Do you suppose I could stay with you for a week? Bobby’s got a steady job, but he’s away on a business trip now, and I’m at loose ends.”
“Most of the men I meet are the fathers of the kids in my craft class, but maybe Gussie can fix you up. She got me a blind date for a benefit gala soon after I got here. Sure, come on up. As soon as I take my GRE, I’ll have plenty of free time. Just let me know when.”
When her phone vibrated again, Lisa saw Justin’s name and picked up. It was so nice to hear his voice again.
“How has your day gone?” He sounded like he was still interested.
“Pretty good, so far. My sister called. She might come for a visit later this summer.”
“I bet you’d enjoy that. If you’re free tomorrow, I’d like to take you for a picnic lunch.”
“I’d love to go, but I have to spend most of the day studying for the test, and if you’re with me, I won’t concentrate.”
He laughed. “That says something good about me. How about I pick you up at one-thirty? That will give you all morning to concentrate on those test questions.”
She shouldn’t give in, but she couldn’t resist him. Besides she didn’t want Chenille to get her claws into him. “I’d love to.”
After she disconnected, she walked toward the library. Maybe she could concentrate better there. On the way, she passed the Super Min and ducked in for a protein bar. Concentrating took lots of energy. At the counter, she saw a new record album out by Luke Bryan and purchased it. She bet Justin didn’t have it. She asked Charity to gift-wrap it.
“So who’s this for? That handsome Justin I’ve seen with you?”
Charity must have eyes and ears everywhere, and Lisa had been seeing a lot of him. She might as well admit it. “I know he likes this singer, and I bet this is the last one you have.”
“You’re right about that. What if he comes in and asks if there’s anything new by Bryan?”
Lisa smiled. “Just tell him you plum ran out.”
“Well, that would be true enough, but I’ll keep your secret. I do manage to keep a lot of things under my hat, you know.”
Lisa paid and took the package, wondering how many secrets Charity actually held.
Sunday morning, Lisa crammed until her head was about to burst. Finally, at twelve o’clock she couldn’t concentrate because she kept thinking about what to wear. What could she say and do to keep him interested while he was here?
Thank goodness, he’d go back to his store in a couple of weeks, and Chenille would still be here. But Lisa would be back near Dallas by fall and have more chances to see him. Unless, perish the thought, Chenille moved to Dallas. Why was Lisa worrying about that? All she really wanted was someone fun to go places with. At least she could do that here if that woman didn’t monopolize Justin.
Lisa took a shower and dressed in her pink top and white shorts. He’d talked about a picnic, but not where he planned to take her. She’d wear her sandals. They were cool enough and sturdy enough so she wouldn’t be likely to trip.
When she opened the door, Justin’s eyes roved over her, and his smile said he liked what he saw. She shouldn’t be this excited about going out with him, but after studying all morning, she was ready for a little fun. She probably should have spent the whole day on that test booklet, but she deserved a little relaxation. She could work on it tonight. “Come in. I have something for you.”
As he stepped inside, she handed him the gift-wrapped package.
“For me?” He grinned. “You don’t need to buy me anything.”
“I saw something I thought you’d like, so I bought it.”
He tore off the wrapping and smiled. “Luke Bryan’s latest album. Thanks a lot. I’m going to enjoy this and think of you when I play it.”
She hoped he would. “You’re welcome.” She followed him to the car.
He started the car and looked at her. “You haven’t fastened your seat belt. Please do. I drive carefully, but you can’t always avoid accidents.”
Justin drove to a park beside a forest. “I noticed a hiking trail here the other day and thought we could follow it for a while, and maybe see some interesting birds. I brought some binoculars. Maybe we’ll catch some interesting views of the ocean.”
As he opened the car door for her, a gentle breeze lifted her hair and brought the salty tang of the ocean to her nose. “We can’t be far from the ocean.” He looked up at the blue sky with white clouds. “I don’t think we have to worry about rain.”
He took hold of her hand. “We’ll hike first and eat later. The lunch I brought will keep okay in the cooler in the car.” He started down a trail.
“By the way,” she said. “How come you never told me about the robbery at your store just before you came here?”
“I wasn’t hurt, and insurance will pay for the loss.”
“Did they ever catch the robber?”
“No. Who told you about that?”
“I got a call from my sister, and she said you were her hero that day because she was going to walk inside when you yelled at the gunman
.”
“So that was your sister.”
“I admire your quick thinking. She could have been shot. As a matter of fact, so could you. I’m glad you didn’t get hurt.”
“That’s one of the reasons I’m not sure I want to go back to the jewelry store business.”
“How are you doing on your investigation here?”
“ Charity Grambling at the Super Min gave me a tip about Rosa Gonzales, the new clerk at the hotel. It seems she admired the tennis bracelet that has turned up missing. However, I interviewed the clerk and don’t think she’s a likely suspect. She’s a down-to-earth type who loves wearing beads and clunky jewelry. I ran a credit check on her and asked the other clerks about her. They seemed to think she was an honest person who wouldn’t do anything like that.”
The smell of pine filled the air as they walked along a sandy trail dotted with pine needles. Justin raised the binoculars. “There’s a hawk above that maple tree.” It glided up above them.
Lisa pointed. “And that looks like a Baltimore oriole.”
He looked through the glasses. “I don’t think so. It’s different from the Baltimore oriole.”
“How so?”
He pulled her close enough to his chest she could feel his warmth. He held the binoculars to her eyes. “That’s the Spot Breasted Oriole. See how the black coloring on its chest spreads up to its head? The Baltimore Oriole’s chest is all orange, and its head is all black.”
Lisa’s stomach growled. He looked at her. “Are you hungry?”
She’d skipped breakfast, but was now embarrassed. All she could say was, “Yes.”
He turned around. “Let’s head back.”
When they reached the car, he pulled out the cooler. Lisa pointed toward trees. “Let’s sit over there.”
He grinned. “Anything to please my fair lady.” He spread a blanket next to a tall pine tree and set the binoculars on the ground next to it.
She helped him set out the food. Soon she was munching on a chicken salad sandwich, made with grapes and pecans. The strawberry tarts were delicious.
Justin wiped his mouth with a napkin and gazed into the woods. “I think that’s an owl I hear.”
